Mexico’s president questions Biden’s border wall change: ‘Just for show’
President Biden’s Decision to Proceed with Border Wall Construction Criticized by Mexican President
“It’s pure publicity,” the Mexican leader said Friday, one day after a visit from a delegation of U.S. cabinet officials. ”They don’t want to [build more sections of the wall], that’s what they told us.”
President Joe Biden’s choice to continue building a wall along the southern border of the United States has been labeled as a mere publicity stunt by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The criticism comes in the wake of a meeting between Mexican and U.S. officials.
Biden Caught in a Dilemma
Biden’s administration finds itself in a difficult position, torn between a Democratic electorate that despises the border wall as a symbol of former President Donald Trump’s policies and the escalating number of illegal border crossings, which has created immense political and policy pressure to address the issue. While Biden authorized new wall construction, he has also placed blame on Trump for the situation.
“The border wall — the money was appropriated for the border wall,” Biden explained to reporters on Thursday. “I tried to get [Congress] to reappropriate it, to redirect that money. They didn’t. They wouldn’t. And in the meantime, there’s nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated. I can’t stop that.”
However, Biden’s explanation has been met with rejection from his progressive allies.
“The Biden administration was not required to expand construction of the border wall — and they certainly were not required to waive several environmental laws to expedite the building,” stated Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) on Thursday. “The president needs to take responsibility for this decision and reverse course.”
Surge in Border Crossings
The decision to resume wall construction comes amidst a significant increase in border crossings, driven in part by Venezuelans who have been enticed by rumors of limited work permits and temporary protected status due to threats from Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
“People get through every day,” said Alejandro Cardenas, an architecture graduate from the University of Caracas. “Today I am going in with God’s blessing.”
Department of Homeland Security officials have called for new construction in Starr County, Texas, as Border Patrol encounters a growing number of individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally.
“As of early August 2023, Border Patrol had encountered over 245,000 such entrants attempting to enter the United States between ports of entry in the Rio Grande Valley Sector in Fiscal Year 2023,” stated a notification from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’s office. “There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas pursuant to [federal law].”
Conflicting Views on Border Wall
While the wall construction resumes, a high-level meeting between U.S. and Mexican officials took place in Mexico City, where Mayorkas argued against the effectiveness of a border wall.
“There is no new administration policy with respect to the border wall,” he clarified. ”From day one, this administration has made clear that a border wall is not the answer. That remains our position, and our position has never wavered. The language in the Federal Register notice is being taken out of context and it does not signify any change in policy whatsoever.”
Mexican Foreign Secretary Alicia Barcena welcomed this statement, emphasizing that the construction mentioned in the notice is not a new barrier but rather a part of the allocated budget that will be executed through technology and other installations to enhance detection and road development.
What are some of the criticisms of President Biden’s decision to continue building the border wall, and how do these critics argue that it hinders efforts to address the root causes of migration?
Better immigration policies under the Biden administration. In the month of February alone, there were over 100,000 apprehensions at the border, marking the highest monthly total in over a decade.
The surge in border crossings has put Biden in a difficult position, as he seeks to balance his promises of a more humane and compassionate immigration system with the need to maintain border security. The decision to continue building the wall can be seen as an attempt to address the immediate concern of border security while also signaling a commitment to a comprehensive immigration reform in the long run.
However, critics argue that the construction of the wall is not an effective solution to the issue of illegal immigration. They assert that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of migration, such as poverty, violence, and political instability in countries like Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Mexican President Lopez Obrador’s criticism of Biden’s decision reflects a broader sentiment among many Mexicans who see the wall as a symbol of division and hostility between the two countries. Mexico has long been a vocal opponent of the border wall, and Lopez Obrador’s comments only serve to highlight the strained relationship between the two leaders.
It is worth noting that while Biden has authorized the construction of new sections of the wall, he has also implemented other measures aimed at undoing the previous administration’s immigration policies. This includes the rescission of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were being processed in the U.S.
Additionally, the Biden administration has proposed a comprehensive immigration reform plan that includes a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, increased support for Central American countries, and improved border management strategies. These actions demonstrate Biden’s commitment to addressing the underlying issues that drive migration.
In conclusion, President Biden’s decision to proceed with border wall construction has been met with criticism from Mexican President Lopez Obrador. While the decision reflects the administration’s attempts to balance border security concerns with a commitment to comprehensive immigration reform, critics argue that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of migration. Ultimately, the debate around the border wall underscores the complexity of the immigration issue and the challenges facing the Biden administration as it seeks to find a more sustainable and humane approach to immigration.
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